Jung Jae-hyung picks up Uhm Jeong-hwa in 100 million won SUV

Singer and composer Jung Jae-hyung, having obtained his first driver's license at the age of 56, revealed himself behind the wheel, picking up his close friend Uhm Jeong-hwa. Jung, who had long been known as the 'celebrity who cannot drive,' is now being viewed as a major event itself as he drives a car to pick up his friend.

On the 20th, Uhm posted a video on her SNS, tagging Jung's account with the caption, "Jung Jae-hyung is driving!!!" She added, "Jae-hyung came to pick me up!! A day like this finally comes!!!" expressing both surprise and joy.

In the video, Jung is seen sitting in the driver's seat of a black SUV, waiting for Uhm. He was captured smiling brightly with the window down, while Uhm held the camera herself to record her friend's 'transformation into a chauffeur.' Given the close relationship the two have always shown, the short video carries significant meaning.

For Jung, driving is more than just gaining a new hobby. He has openly revealed on broadcasts for years that he did not have a license, which led to the 'unlicensed Jung Jae-hyung' character becoming a comedic element in variety shows.

A representative moment was on the 2020 Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) show 'Hangout with Yoo.' At that time, during the manager interview process for Refund Sisters, Jung revealed he could not drive and did not even have a license. Despite the explanation that driving is a primary duty for a road manager, his characteristically nonchalant reaction drew laughter, and his unlicensed life subsequently became a recurring topic on broadcasts.

In 2021, the topic resurfaced when he revealed he had purchased a new car despite being unable to drive it himself. The somewhat peculiar combination of owning a car but having no license resonated with Jung's unique, quirky image, etching him further into the public eye as a distinct character.

This year, Jung finally began to tackle this major life task. After passing the written exam in June, he announced he passed the functional driving test with a perfect score of 100 in July. At the time, Jung shared a photo of himself holding the steering wheel at the testing center, announcing his "100-point pass on the functional test" and not hiding his joy regarding his late-blooming driving challenge.

Ultimately, on July 20, he finally obtained his very first driver's license. For Jung, born in 1970, obtaining a license at 56 is a late start, but it was special news for fans as it signaled that his lifestyle, which had been distanced from driving for a long time, was actually beginning to change.

A significant reason for his decision to get a license was his pet dog, Haedeumi. Jung has previously expressed his desire to go on trips with Haedeumi by driving himself. For him, the car—which is a standard means of transportation for others—has become a tool to open a new radius of life to spend more free time with his pet.

Interestingly, Uhm played a sort of 'driving instructor' role during his licensing process. The two had discussed cars and driving during a trip to Gangwon Province, and conversations between them regarding which car to buy before his test also provided moments of laughter.

Jung did not hide his current status, even revealing that he had attached a 'Beginner Driver' sticker to his vehicle. Last month, he shared his experience of calling a designated driver for the first time, sharing with fans the clumsy yet fluttering daily life that follows immediately after getting a license.

This time, he has gone one step further. Jung is no longer the person who entrusts driving to others, but the person who drives himself to pick up a friend—and he does so right in front of Uhm, who witnessed his entire journey to getting the license.

Judging by the rear design and lettering, the SUV appearing in the video is presumed to be a Volkswagen Touareg. As the domestic retail price for this model exceeds 100 million won depending on the trim, the vehicle itself draws attention, but what attracts more interest in this scene is the fact that the person in the driver's seat is Jung Jae-hyung.

After debuting with the group Basis in 1995, Jung has expanded his career as a composer, producer, and solo musician. He has participated in film music scoring and has broadened his connection with the public through variety shows and his personal YouTube channel 'Fairy Jae-hyung,' showcasing both his musical expertise and his unique variety sense. Recently, by turning his daily life into content, not just his music but his lifestyle itself is being consumed as a story.

Uhm is also a representative colleague who has maintained a long-standing friendship with Jung. While active in different fields of music and broadcasting, the two have shown their close bond through shared travels and daily life, and are well known for supporting each other's new challenges.

Therefore, Uhm's reaction of "A day like this finally comes" carries more meaning than simple surprise. She witnessed firsthand the moment a friend who hadn't driven for years finally obtained his license and drove to pick her up.

While driving might be a routine task for some, for Jung, it represents the opening of a new chapter in his daily life. The 56-year-old musician, who once provided laughs as an 'unlicensed' character, is now taking his place on the road with a 'Beginner Driver' sticker, turning this new chapter into his latest life story.